Every scientific theory, proposed as _possible_, is reconcilable
with some facts. Otherwise, it would not have been considered for a
moment. Many false hypotheses have been proposed, and accepted as
possible and even probable, because reconcilable with some facts. The
Ptolemaic theory of the universe, making the earth the centre, around
which the heavens revolved in great concentric spheres, was accepted
for 1400 years from A. D. 140, because it explained many things. It
corresponded with appearances. It appealed to all. Its advocates had
great difficulty in reconciling it with the motions of the planets,
which were therefore called planets or "wanderers." But in time the
Copernican theory prevailed, because it was reconcilable with all the
facts. The evidence is so abundant that all claim it the true
theory. It is science. It is knowledge.

Because the Copernican hypothesis, the true theory of the universe,
was opposed and rejected, it does not follow that the evolution of man
is true because it is likewise opposed and rejected. If this new
theory, hypothesis, or guess stands, it can only do so, because it
harmonizes with all the facts. The law of gravitation, and every other
proven theory harmonizes with all the facts and with all other true
theories.

It will be shown in this book, that a large number of facts can not be
reconciled with evolution, especially the evolution of man, thus
proving that it can not be a true theory. We really have a right to
demand the proof of a theory, and to refuse consent until
proved. While we are under no obligation to _disprove_ an
unproven theory, yet it is the shortest way to settle the matter once
for all, before it has led multitudes more astray, and wrecked the